Show All Answers

1. Where can I find information on community schools?

The Great Schools website was developed to enable parents to access a wealth of information regarding schools in their communities, so they can make informed educational choices for their children. Search by state (Ilinois), then type in East Peoria, and information on all the schools will appear.

2. How do I get on the East Peoria Housing Authority (Section 8 Voucher, HUD) program to receive financial assistance with my rent?

A person makes an application when the wait list is opened. The wait list only opens when the current list is depleted. There is no way to determine how long the current list will last, because new people are called from the list only when current participants go off the program. You may contact the office at 309-698-4718 occasionally to inquire, or watch the Sunday Journal Star and the East Peoria Times-Courier for a legal notice announcing the date applications will be accepted.

3. Do I have to live in East Peoria to make an application?

No. However, you will have to live in our area for at least one year when you are called from the wait list for participation.

4. How do I know if I am eligible for rental assistance?

A person/household must be under the income guidelines established by HUD and must not have violated any other obligations while participating in any federally funded housing programs. Registered sex offenders are not eligible to participate.

5. What does Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher mean?

The EPHA operates a Housing Choice Voucher program, which means we do not own any of the property rented by our clients. All clients rent on the open market from private landlords, and we simply help with paying the rent based upon their income.

6. What is the Project Based Voucher Program?

The Project Based Voucher program is for persons 55 years old and older, whose income is no more than 60% of the area's medium income, and who want to live at Leisure Acres, Phase I in Sunnyland. Leisure Acres is an apartment complex of 100 one-bedroom and efficiency-size apartments.

7. How do I make an application for the Leisure Acres Project Based Program?

For persons or couples that are 55 years or older, applications are accepted on the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 10 a.m. through noon. To complete the paperwork, the applicant must come to the Housing Authority's office located at:
401 W Washington Street
East Peoria, IL 61611

Eligible persons who physically can not come into the office may request an application be mailed, or may have someone pick up an application for them during the application time. Applicants' names are placed on the wait list according to the date and time their application is made and accepted.

8. Can I rent from a relative?

A participant may not rent a unit owned by a parent, grandparent, grandchild, sister, brother, or child of any member of the family, unless the EPHA determines that renting such would provide a reasonable accommodation for a family member who is a person with a disability.

9. How much of my rent will EPHA pay?

The U.S. Department of HUD has established a formula. You pay a portion of the rent based upon household income, and the EPHA pays the difference directly to the landlord. The minimum required tenant contribution is 30% of the adjusted income. The maximum permitted is 40% of the household income.

10. Do I have to live in a place designated by EPHA?

No. For the Section 8 Voucher program, it is the client's responsibility to locate a housing unit. You may check newspaper ads, bulletin boards in various establishments, drive around looking for rental signs, or check the EPHA vacancy list. This list is simply a service the EPHA offers, where landlords who may want to place their property with our agency can advertise. The landlord will screen potential tenants for suitability. For the Project Based Program at Leisure Acres, the EPHA will designate an apartment.

11. Can I rent anywhere in Tazewell County and/or the Pekin area?

No. Our designated jurisdiction is the corporate city limits of East Peoria. We will, however, work with surrounding communities provided they are still within Tazewell County. Areas such as Pekin, South Pekin, Mackinaw and Manito are too far away.

12. Will the EPHA help me purchase a home?

No, we offer rental assistance only.

13. I made an application and am on the waitlist. Can you tell me how long it will be before I am offered financial rental help?

No, it is impossible for us to determine the length of time prior to being housed. We are only able to call a new participant from the wait list when a current participant leaves the program, thereby freeing up funds for the next person. We have no way of knowing when a current participant will be going off the program.